Jon Sumrall returns to Kentucky with Florida
The Florida coach played and began his coaching career at Kentucky, which enters Saturday’s game ranked No. 11.
| Kickoff | 7:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Venue | Kroger Field |
| Spread | Florida -4.5 |
| Total | 44.5 |
| TV | Not announced yet |
|---|
The TV network for Florida at Kentucky is set by the conference's TV partners closer to game week. Each school's radio network carries the game.
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Follow the full play-by-play and box score →Florida coach Jon Sumrall will face his alma mater Saturday when the Gators visit No. 11 Kentucky, the program that launched both his playing and coaching careers. Florida enters the matchup 5-4 overall and 3-4 in the SEC, while Kentucky is 7-2 and 5-2 in conference play.
Sumrall played middle linebacker for the Wildcats from 2001-04 and earned three letters. He recorded a team-high 72 tackles as a redshirt junior, but a spinal condition diagnosed before his senior season ended his playing career.
Former Kentucky coach Rich Brooks then gave Sumrall his first coaching opportunity. After working as a Kentucky graduate assistant from 2005-06, Sumrall returned as an assistant from 2019-21. He was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2021 before Troy hired him.
Sumrall credited Kentucky with helping shape his career and said he still has close friends in Lexington. Yet he has no plans to turn the trip into a reunion, saying his attention is on preparing Florida to match the way Kentucky is playing.
Florida beat Auburn in his SEC debut, defeated No. 4 Ole Miss 52-28 in its conference home opener and upset No. 7 Texas. Ole Miss had beaten Sumrall’s Tulane team twice last season and eliminated the Green Wave from the College Football Playoff.
Sumrall will be the first Florida head coach to face his alma mater since Will Muschamp coached against Georgia, but he has framed the return around the Gators’ weekly goal of going 1-0 rather than his past.
Sumrall said roughly 30 people had texted to ask where Florida was staying, and he did not respond. His wife and children may have dinner with friends, but Sumrall said his time in Lexington will be devoted to coaching and trying to win.
Why it matters
Florida can reach .500 in SEC play by beating a ranked Kentucky team. The matchup also sends Sumrall back to the program where he played, began coaching and later served as co-defensive coordinator.
What to watch next
Florida visits No. 11 Kentucky on Saturday, with the Gators seeking their fourth SEC victory of Sumrall’s first season.
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